He recorded and performed primarily with an acoustic guitar and sang about his joy in nature, his disdain for city life, his enthusiasm for music, and his relationship trials. Denver's music appeared on a variety of charts, including country music, the Billboard Hot 100, and adult contemporary, in all earning him twelve gold and four platinum albums with his signature songs "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", and "Sunshine on My Shoulders".
Denver starred in films and several notable television specials in the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to record in the 1990s, also focusing on environmental issues by lending vocal support to space exploration and testifying in front of Congress in protest against censorship in music. He lived in Aspen, Colorado for much of his life and was known for his love of Colorado which he sang about numerous times. In 1974 Denver was named poet laureate of the state. The Colorado state legislature also adopted "Rocky Mountain High" as one of its two state songs in 2007. Denver was an avid pilot and died at the age of 53 in a single-fatality crash of his personal experimental aircraft.
Today
John Denver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
'Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today
I'll be a dandy, and I'll be a rover
You'll know who I am by the songs that I sing
I'll feast at your table, I'll sleep in your clover
Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
'Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today
I can't be contented with yesterday's glory
I can't live on promises winter to spring
Today is my moment, now is my story
I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing
Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
'Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today
Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
'Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today
John Denver's "Today" is a melody devoted to the present moment. The verses are a contemplation of how we can lose touch with the wonder of life by getting lost in the past or considering the future. "Today," John Denver suggests, is the only time we have. The melody starts with "Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine," emphasizing that life is fleeting, and we must cherish the present moment. Later, it proclaims "I can't be contented with yesterday's glory / I can't live on promises winter to spring / Today is my moments, now is my story / I'll laugh, and I'll cry and I'll sing." That means we should not dwell on the past achievements or make promises for the future but embrace the present moment as it is.
The second stanza of the song represents the emotions of the singer. It reads 'I'll be a dandy, and I'll be a rover / You'll know who I am by the songs that I sing / I'll feast at your table, I'll sleep in your clover / Who cares what the morrow shall bring.' The singer departs himself from any concerns about the future and lives his life as he wants it. The goal is to have lovely reminiscences of now, to embrace and love the momentary experience of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
In this moment, while the flowers are still holding onto the plant, I want to appreciate the beauty of nature and the time we have together.
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine
I'll enjoy all the pleasures of life while I have the chance, including the sweetness of your companionship.
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
The future is uncertain and time is fleeting, but I want to focus on the present moment and treasure each day as it comes.
'Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today
I don't want to miss out on the happiness that is in front of me right now, and I want to hold onto the memories of today forever.
I'll be a dandy, and I'll be a rover
I'll live my life with a carefree spirit, enjoying every adventure that comes my way and exploring the world around me.
You'll know who I am by the songs that I sing
My music is an expression of my soul and my true self, and through it, you'll understand who I am as a person.
I'll feast at your table, I'll sleep in your clover
I want to share in the simple pleasures of life with you, enjoying good food, good company, and the beauty of nature.
Who cares what the morrow shall bring
The future is uncertain, but I'm not going to worry about it now. I want to focus on living in the present moment and enjoying what is in front of me.
I can't be contented with yesterday's glory
I don't want to live in the past, dwelling on old accomplishments. I want to keep moving forward and making new memories.
I can't live on promises winter to spring
I can't rely on the future to provide happiness or fulfillment, I need to find joy in the present moment and appreciate what I have now.
Today is my moment, now is my story
I'm taking control of my life and living in the present, creating my own story and making the most of the time I have.
I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing
I'll experience all of the emotions that come with living a full life, and I'll express them through my music and my actions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Randy Sparks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
Hey J Parker, Sorry to hear you're having these issues. Would you mind please emailing our support team an example album or track to support [at] sonichits.com?
J Parker
SonicHits just gets worse and worse. Albums that don't play,songs that don't play, tracks that are NOT the named song or even the right artist, adverts that cover content and cause the site to interrupt and buffer inthe middle of songs. I've got to find a better music site!
@davidwilson1561
I am 81 years old this man and his music brings tears to my eyes.
@lissa812000
he's just perfection!! My favorite singer ever. He died on my birthday. Breaks my heart every year.
@stephenwelch861
In 1970 I was living in a student dorm at Mankato State College in Mankato MN. I was bored as hell i was playing my guitar in my room. I had a $30.00 guitar from sears i got for Christmas a few years earlier, when someone i had never heard of stopped by and spent so time and taught me this song. He taught me how to finger pick it. Later I realized who it was. Tonight I played it for the first time in years, 52 years later I remembered every note. Thank you John...
@sherielee649
Wow!!!!
@catherinenelson9909
What an amazing, life changing experience ❤
@user-yn7yn4fr7w
I sing this to my grandchildren every night! Reminds us to all be thankful and be thankful for the day we had!
@francespridmore6101
Such a wonderful voice... John Denver will live in our hearts forever. God bless him for his beautiful voice and music. 🙏❤
@lissa812000
my best pupper ever is Callie SPIRIT.